Detecting odors on the edge: Researchers decipher how insects smell more with less
Whether it's the wafting aroma of our favorite meal or the dangerous fumes seeping from a toxic chemical, the human sense of smell has evolved into a sophisticated system that processes scents through several intricate stages. The brains of mammals h.....»»
“Energy-smart” bricks need less power to make, are better insulation
Cutting the energy used while firing the bricks means big savings at scale. Enlarge / Some of the waste material that ends up part of these bricks. (credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University) Researchers at the Royal Melbou.....»»
The fascinating sex lives of insects
Some insects have detachable penises, others produce sperm that is 20 times the size of their own body. Others have evolved with special equipment to help them tear rivals off potential mates. Insects can be creepy, promiscuous or murderous—but the.....»»
Researchers develop MoonIndex, open-source software that allows study of lunar surface
With MoonIndex, researchers from Constructor University and the National Institute of Astrophysics in Italy have developed an open-source software that for the first time gives scientists access to a free tool that creates science-ready products from.....»»
Researchers discover MAPK20-ATG6 link in tomato pollen vitality
Pollen development in flowering plants is a complex process involving multiple genetic and physiological pathways. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in various plant developmental stages......»»
AI predicts upper secondary education dropout as early as the end of primary school
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, from the fields of Psychology, Education, and Information Technology have developed the first machine learning models that forecast upper secondary education dropou.....»»
Boosting "natural killer" cell activity could improve cancer therapy
Yale researchers have uncovered a way to make a type of white blood cells known as natural killer cells—which kill infected, damaged, or malignant cells in the body—more effective against cancer. The approach, they say, could enable new treatment.....»»
Public health beliefs predict support for climate action, study shows
A paper published in the current issue of the Journal of Health Communication by Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) researchers finds evidence that holding science-consistent beliefs about the public health effects of climate change is an importan.....»»
Tea science: Gene discovery to boost mechanical harvesting
Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the genetic factors influencing tea plant leaf droopiness, a key determinant of mechanical harvest success. By identifying the CsEXL3 gene and its regulation by CsBES1.2, the study paves the.....»»
A high-temperature superconductor with zero resistance that exhibits strange metal behavior
Researchers at Zhejiang University and Sun Yat-Sen University have gathered evidence of high-temperature superconductivity with zero resistance and strange metal behavior in a material identified in their previous studies......»»
New study unveils formation secrets of tiny rare earth elements
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences have revealed a novel route to the formation of bastnäsite, a crucial mineral for the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs). Their work offers promise in one day making the extr.....»»
Detecting intelligent life that"s light years away: Greenhouse gases could signal alien activity
If aliens modified a planet in their solar system to make it warmer, we'd be able to tell. A new UC Riverside study identifies the artificial greenhouse gases that would be giveaways of a terraformed planet......»»
In a world-first, researchers map a 4,200 km transatlantic flight of the painted lady butterfly
In October 2013, Gerard Talavera, a researcher from the Botanical Institute of Barcelona at CSIC, made a surprising discovery of painted lady butterflies on the Atlantic beaches of French Guiana—a species not typically found in South America. This.....»»
Using supercomputer researchers discover new clues to improving fusion confinement
Nuclear fusion—when two nuclei combine to form a new nucleus, thereby releasing energy—may be the clean, reliable, limitless power source of the future. But first, scientists must learn how to control its production......»»
New tool maps microbial diversity with unprecedented details
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen have developed the groundbreaking tool SynTracker. SynTracker expands traditional microbial analysis by considering genomic structural variation to complement existing SNP-based methods......»»
Researchers move floating objects with soundwaves
EPFL researchers have succeeded in directing floating objects around an aquatic obstacle course using only soundwaves. Their novel, optics-inspired method holds great promise for biomedical applications such as noninvasive targeted drug delivery......»»
Researchers identify potential hazards in biosolid fertilizers
Fertilizers manufactured from the sludgy leftovers of wastewater treatment processes can contain traces of potentially hazardous organic chemicals, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers......»»
Researchers use gold membrane to coax secrets out of surfaces
Using a special wafer-thin gold membrane, ETH researchers have made it significantly easier to study surfaces. The membrane makes it possible to measure properties of surfaces that are inaccessible to conventional methods......»»
Researchers develop polymer fibers that can facilitate controlled, local drug delivery
Medical products such as ointments or syringes reach their limits when it comes to delivering medication locally—and above all in a controlled manner over a longer period of time. Empa researchers are therefore developing polymer fibers that can de.....»»
Squeezing more flavor: Genetic study optimizes citric acid in tomatoes
Citric acid (CA) is a flavor-enhancing compound in tomatoes that also serves as a metabolic pathway mediator. Despite its importance, the genetic and environmental interplay affecting its levels has been a puzzle, difficult to decipher and control......»»
New security loophole allows spying on internet users’ online activity
Researchers at Graz University of Technology were able to spy on users’ online activities simply by monitoring fluctuations in the speed of their internet connection. This vulnerability, known as SnailLoad, does not require malicious code to ex.....»»